Cambodia Holidays: King’s Birthday (Norodom Sihamoni)

When is the Cambodian King’s Birthday?

The Cambodian King’s Birthday (Norodom Sihamoni) is held on May 13 every year along with two extra days of celebration! (May 13 – 15)

Who is the Cambodian King?

Norodom Sihamoni, born May 14, 1953, is the current King of Cambodia. He is the eldest son of his father, King Norodom Sihanouk and his mother, Queen Norodom Monineath. Before being elected King of Cambodia by a nine-member throne council, King Norodom Sihamoni was a well-known classical dancer and cultural ambassador.

A large part of his life has been spent outside of Cambodia. He was sent to Prague for schooling and education at an early age. There he attended elementary school, high school, and AMU – Academy of Performing Arts. He graduated in 1975 after studying classical dance and music for several years.

King Norodom Sihamoni returned to Cambodia in 1977, only to be arrested along with the rest of the royal family by the Khmer Rouge government. Not long after liberation by the Vietnamese, he moved to France to teach dance and head the Khmer Dance Association. During this time, he was also appointed to be Cambodia’s delegate to UNESCO in Paris.

He was crowned king of Cambodia on October 29, 2004, after his father’s surprise abdication only a week before.

What happens and what should you do during the Cambodian King’s Birthday?

The King’s birthday is a major holiday where the Khmer people express their gratitude, patriotism, and appreciation for their new progressive government.